Monica W’s Story
Community is the answer.
When Monica first reached out to Connections in 2005, she was a young mother trying to build a safer, more stable life for her children. Connections helped cover her security deposit, opening the door to an apartment where Monica and her family lived for nearly ten years. Her children grew up there. For the first time in a long while, life finally felt settled.
In 2019, Monica returned during another housing transition. The process was complicated and uncertain, but she worked with a case manager to navigate applications and identify available apartments. Although Monica was working, she was still unable to cover her full rent, so Connections provided support that allowed her to remain housed and close to the community she knows. Today, Monica lives nearby. She often stops in just to say hello.
“Sometimes I visit even if I don’t need anything,” she says. “If you’re down, sometimes all you need is someone positive. I always leave there feeling better about myself.”
Monica at Inspire
Connections is more than a safety net. It is a hub of care that helps keep our community whole. When rent falls short, help arrives. When the fridge is empty, the pantry is open. When someone needs socks, diapers, a warm coat, or help filling out an online application, Connections is there. Volunteers greet neighbors by name. Case managers walk alongside families. Donors make each moment of support possible.